'If there is no wind then there is no power' — fall in production prompts call for renewables debate
The Scottish Government has said it will meet its ambitious 2020 renewable energy targets — despite a fall in production last year.
- By Stefan Morkis
- Published in the Courier : 01.10.11
- Published online : 01.10.11 @ 10.12am
Figures released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change showed that the total amount of renewable energy produced from wind and hydro schemes was down.
Output from hydro schemes fell by a third due to low rainfall, while low winds meant turbines only produced 6% more energy overall, in spite of a large number of new schemes coming online.
Despite this, renewable energy accounted for 30% of all energy used in Scotland. The Government wants to increase that to 100% by 2020.
Niall Stuart, chief executive of Scottish Renewables, said the fall in output was down to an unprecedented spell of calm weather.
He said: ''The figures show that even in an exceptionally dry and calm year, renewables provided more than 30% of electricity consumed in Scotland. This reinforces that the sector is a major part of our energy mix, and a significant part of our economy. Our hydro sector met more than 10% of sales to consumers.
''The report also shows massive growth in output in the first half of 2011 — wind up by 120% and hydro by 75% as wind and rainfall returned to normal — meaning renewables are providing greater levels of power than ever before. The sector is meeting a growing proportion of electricity demand in the UK and Scotland and this year will deliver further carbon emissions savings.''
Helen McDade, head of policy for the John Muir Trust, the UK's leading wild land charity, warned, however, that the Government is putting too much faith in windfarms.
She said: ''DECC's latest figures demonstrate the variability in wind generation output year on year and back up both the report by Stuart Young Consulting published in April (link), and the trust's consistent argument that we need to have honesty about the difficulties of too much reliance on wind.
''An honest debate about how to go forward is needed instead of hot air from industry. Public money should go preferentially towards saving energy through efficiency and conservation, and then the UK needs to have a mix of sources for electricity.
''No matter how many turbines are built, if there is no wind then there is no power.''
Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray said: ''This sudden drop in renewable energy production underlines the need for the SNP government to set interim annual targets to ensure we are on course for 2020.
''Scotland has colossal renewable energy potential — we must seize that potential and the thousands of green jobs it will create in the process.''
A Scottish Government spokesman said weather had returned to normal this year and output had picked up as a consequence.
He said: ''We have ambitious renewables targets and we are making progress.''
The government figures also revealed a decline in gas and oil production at the start of 2011. Oil production was down 16% and gas by 25% in the second quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2010.
This was caused by planned maintenance as well as the emptying of oil reservoirs.
11.14am - 01.10.2011 Stuart - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
That only Al Gore shares the Scottish government's 100% by 2010 target speaks volumes. This is such an ambitious target that it's in the realm of fantasy, unless the 100% by 2010 statement is another play on words by the SZnP.
07.06pm - 01.10.2011 RT - Fife, Scotland Report This
It is not too late for SNP leader Alex Salmond to hold up his hand and admit that nuclear has to be part of the mix for the forceable future if the lights are not to go out all across Scotland.
11.20am - 02.10.2011 Chilli - Fort William, Scotland Report This
I assume this 30% excludes energy for transport and gas-fired home heating right? Ie. Just 30% of leccy. And is this based on total wind production or total useable wind production? We keep hearing how wind farms get paid to dump their output eg. When a storm blows up in the night when demand is low
03.50pm - 02.10.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
RT, nuclear is a dead end. The time and expense needed to build them makes them no aswer to the country's energy problem. Also, obtainable uranium is nearing exhaustion with no forsee-able replacement (breeders don't work). Wind, wave, hydro, tidal, biomass and ocean current are our best hopes.
06.29pm - 02.10.2011 RT - Fife, Scotland Report This
"our best hope". Such confidence, Stuart? It is this lack of confidence that helps feed the suspicion that the lights could go out. Salmond wasn't for closing nuclear down immediately, which raises the question why not, given his insistense that they are so unsafe. I think I know what comes next
08.58pm - 02.10.2011 Stuart Allan - Dundee, Scotland Report This
RT, nuclear plants have not been shut down because they are currently needed for supply. As more and more renewables come on-line that will gradually cease to be the case. It's called a reasoned and practical response .... something those opposed to renewables find difficult to comprehend.
01.22am - 03.10.2011 F. White - Glasgow Scotland, UK Report This
The great lie, or to be kind, inference is that this new technology will mean lower bills than, say, nuclear. Not so. Expect bills to rise. Greatly. Another porky are the £100m savings from closing down nuclear failing to note that this is spread over 45 years, and any savings not til 2014-15.
09.17am - 03.10.2011 nuclear man - dundee, scotland Report This
stuart we have enough uranium to give us more than 200 years supply at todays useage. with new technologies becoming available if/when prices increase which could give us 60,000 years supply at todays useage.
09.19am - 03.10.2011 Alexander - Montrose, Angus Report This
More negative spin on a good news story for Scotland. with 25% of Europe's wind resource it would be daft not to harness it. The target date is 2020, this ambition for Scotland is one of the reasons for the landslide win in the May election, FFA will be required for Scotland to benefit fully.
03.31pm - 03.10.2011 RT - Fife, Scotland Report This
@ Stuart No, it's called hypocrisy. The anti-nuclear lobby in Scotland is now dominated by the SNP who have long resented a nuclear presence up here. For pragmatism, add in opportunism and, yes ralism. At your party conferences hatred for nuclear is palpable, but not enough, it seems.
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